The Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship features an incredibly competitive women's field. The women’s field at the Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship has never been this open. There are obvious choices for favorites, but with so much quality in the field, picking a winner is a guessing game.
The current standout name is Jodie Swallow. With a string of high profile results in 2014, this could be the year the British dynamo claims the coveted top spot. Swallow’s hard racing tactics always puts her in contention not only for a podium, but a win. She demonstrated this at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2014, where she finished with an impressive fourth place, which was the only time she did not finish on the podium in 2014. She made light work of the tough course in East London winning her fifth consecutive Standard Bank IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa title in January and will be confident, as always, coming to Port Elizabeth.
America is well represented this year, not only in numbers, but in quality. Linsey Corbin makes her first appearance in South Africa and is an athlete accustomed to racing against the best. Her win at IRONMAN Austria in 2014 will go down as a highlight and will also be a warning signal to the rest of the field.
Fellow American, Caitlin Snow, will also be one to watch at this year’s race. She possesses a strong run, which could prove vital at the Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship as the race has traditionally been decided over the marathon. Snow has previously recorded run times at Kona second only to Mirinda Carfrae, the marathon course record holder in Kona. If she can stay in contention during the bike, Snow will have a real chance.
Denmark’s Camilla Pedersen shot to prominence when she won the IRONMAN European Championship (beating Jodie Swallow) in 2013 before a serious bike accident. The Dane’s comeback has been impressive, racking up three IRONMAN 70.3 wins in 2014.
Amber Ferreira (USA) recorded some great results in 2014, including a second place at the IRONMAN North American Championship and a win at IRONMAN Lake Placid.
On the European side, Lucy Gossage returns after pipping Jodie Swallow to second place in 2014. Gossage is another athlete who thrives on tough courses, having won IRONMAN Wales and IRONMAN UK previously. Former IRONMAN South African champion, Sonja Tajsich, makes a return for the first time since 2010, while defending IRONMAN France champion, Tine Deckers, also returns to the fold. British athlete Susie Cheetham also features, having done well over the 70.3 circuit in 2014 along with an IRONMAN debut third place finish at IRONMAN Barcelona.